Cricetidae
Author
Don E. Wilson
Author
Russell A. Mittermeier
Author
Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
text
2017
2017-11-30
Lynx Edicions
Barcelona
Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II
204
535
book chapter
80832
10.5281/zenodo.6707142
ab66b2b7-9544-4411-bf61-5bc3651d7bca
978-84-16728-04-6
6707142
113.
Muya Valley Vole
Alexandromys mujanensis
French:
Campagnol de la Mouia
/
German:
Burjatien-WihIimaus
/
Spanish:
Topillo de Muya
Other common names:
Muisk Vole
Taxonomy.
Microtus mujanensis Orlov & Kovalskaya, 1978
,
Muja Valley, Vitim River Basin, Bauntovski District,
Buryatia
,
Russia
.
Alexandromys mujanensis
is in subgenus
Alexandromys
and
maximowiczii
species group. Morphologically and genetically,it is sister species to A.
evoronensis
. Monotypic.
Distribution.
Restricted to three small isolated areas of S Siberia (NE Buryatia and N Zabaykalsky Krai): N Barguzin River, Lake Baunt, and Lower Muya River hollows.
Descriptive notes.
Head-body 110-158 mm, tail 34-58 mm, ear 12-16 mm, hindfoot 18-23 mm; weight 41-97 g. Male Muya Valley Voles are larger than females. Fur color of head and upperparts is dark brown, underparts are dirty gray, and tail is monochromatic. Sole of foot has five plantar pads. M? has 4-5 inner and 3-5 outer angles. Baculum is large (4-:3-5-9 mm long); its base is wide, with trapezoidal proximal edge (base widths 1-9-2-6 mm) and long median (1-5-2-3 mm) and lateral (0-9-1-6 mm) processes. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 38 and FN = 50-52.
Habitat.
Riparian habitats of boreal coniferous forest zone. The Muya Valley Vole inhabits regularly flooded, wet sedge-grass, hummocky meadows with shrubs in highwaterriver beds.
Food and Feeding.
The Muya Valley Vole feeds mainly on green parts of sedges and grasses, including bluegrass, mannagrass (
Glyceria
) and woodreed (Camalagrostis), both
Poaceae
.
Breeding.
Breeding of wild Muya Valley Voles was recorded in April-September. Litters have 3-12 young (averages 6-8-8-8), and intervals between pregnancies are 18-90 days (average 38-7). Females can have 2—4 litters/year. Gestation lasts 17-20 days.
Activity patterns.
No information.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
Home range of the Muya Valley Vole is organized around a complex burrow, which is inside a ground mound 60-100 cm in diameter and up to 40 cm high, usually under a shrub or tree. Each burrow has 3-10 nest chambers, connected by tunnels. Burrows are connected to foraging sites by pathways.
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List (as
Microtus MuUjanensis
).
Bibliography.
Abramson & Lissovsky (2012), Borisova & Kartavtseva (2013), Golenishchev et al. (2015), Gromov & Erbajeva (1995), Lissovsky & Obolenskaya (2011),
Meyer
et al. (1996).